Evaluation of Postoperative difficulties in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Abdominal operations
Submission: 10 October 2025 | Acceptance: 25 November 2025 | Publication: 18 December 2025
1Marwa Riaz, 1Qaisar Mumtaz, 1Khizer Javed Butt, 1Kazim Rodi Raja, 2Dr Qurat ul Ain Malik, 3Kamran Safdar
1PIMS Islamabad
2Shalamar Institue of Health Sciences
3UHS Lahore
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic illness that is associated with a high incidence of postoperative complications after abdominal surgery. Patients with diabetes frequently experience delayed healing of wounds, increased infection, and longer hospitalizations affecting surgical outcome, as well as increased health care burden.
Objective: To determine the epidemiology of postoperative complications in diabetic patients following abdominal surgery, with a focus on both the incidence and types of these complications and associated risk factors affecting surgical outcomes.
Method: This was an observational study conducted in Tertiary Care Hospital with 90 diabetic patients undergoing different abdominal surgeries. The period of investigation ranged from August 2024 to April 2025. A comprehensive clinical including: demographics, type, duration of diabetes, glycemic control status, and postoperative data were obtained and analyzed. Complications like SSI, delayed wound healing, sepsis and duration of hospital stay was kept on follow- up of the patient.
Results: Of the 90 diabetic patients, 52 (57.8%) developed post-operative complications. Surgical site infection occurred in 28 (31.1%) patients, delayed wound healing in 15 (16.7%) patients, while 9 (10%) patients developed post-operative sepsis. It was observed that poor preoperative glycemic control (HbA1c > 7.5%) was strongly related to a higher complication rate (p < 0.05). Furthermore, longer diabetes duration and patients who underwent emergent surgeries were at higher risk. The mean hospitalization time was markedly longer in patients with complications (10.4 ± 3.2 days) than in those with no complications (6.1 ± 1.9 days).
Conclusion: Diabetic patients who are undergoing abdominal surgery manifest increased postoperative morbidity, and suboptimal glycemic control is a significant contributing factor. Optimal preoperative diabetes control and strict perioperative monitoring may decrease the incidence of complications and increase the surgical success in this high-risk population.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, abdominal surgery, postoperative complications, surgical site infection, glycemic control, wound healing, sepsis.